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About the LAMP Fellowship

The Legislative Assistants to Members of Parliament (LAMP) Fellowship is a unique and an exciting opportunity for young Indians to learn law-making and public policy. LAMP Fellows are mentored by a Member of Parliament (MP) and work full-time with the assigned MP during a given year, starting from the Monsoon session of Parliament till the end of the Budget session. The primary role of a LAMP Fellow is to provide extensive research support to her/his MP for their parliamentary work. This includes drafting parliamentary questions for the MP, preparing the MP's speeches for zero hour debates, raising matters of public importance, drafting private members' bills etc.

When Parliament is not in session, LAMP Fellows engage with policy makers, experts from various think-tanks, academicians from several leading universities, and leaders from diverse public policy institutions through participation in workshops on important policy and development issues. LAMP Fellows also participate in field visits during the inter-session period for a practical exposure to governance at the ground level.

Meet our Fellows

Mouli Banerjee

Education(Post-Graduation) : M.A English Literature, St. Stephen’s College

I have always believed that one cannot effect positive changes within any structure or system without truly understanding it and this fellowship has given me an opportunity to experience policy-making through first-hand experience, at the epicenter of all policy-oriented activities in India. With an academic background in literature, I entered LAMP laden with social theories of cultural analysis. In these months I have been learning to apply it at the ground level, utilizing the combination of intensive research skills and an intuition for efficient impromptu work inculcated at this fellowship. While there may sometimes be hiccoughs in political processes in the country, the experience of helping an MP in day-to-day parliamentary and legislative business and being involved in the process at such proximity has taught me to place my bets on hope over cynicism. I expect this credo to guide me in my future involvements with public policy as well.

Kavitha Kunhi Kannan

Age : 25

Educational(Graduation) : Bachelors in Socio-Legal Sciences and Law (BSL LLB)

Education(Post-Graduation) : Masters in International Studies and Diplomacy

I am urban-bred and have, predictably, taken a lot of governance issues for granted – be it water supply and sanitation or having quality monitored meals in schools. I previously worked with an NGO where I obtained grassroots level experience and came to understand the immense difficulty and scale of implementing government schemes. This certainly helped in widening the scope of my knowledge and taking some of the edge off of my cynicism for governance issues in the country. But I wanted to learn more. To be more precise, I wanted to know how things functioned at the penultimate level - public policy, governance and legislative business upfront in the Parliament. This led me to the LAMP Fellowship.
The Fellowship is expected to render a unique opportunity to observe and learn from the leading members of the system. I am looking forward to the experience of interacting with Members of Parliament; working alongside them and assisting them in their daily tasks should be of even greater import in understanding policy-related issues and should help in developing a skill-set that would be invaluable in the future. Having said that, I have come to understand that the Fellowship requires an immense amount of resilience, patience and motivation to take initiative and engage oneself fruitfully – to say the least.
I don’t have a very tall or righteous agenda to change the world or society single-handedly or through the vagaries of a single Fellowship but what I do hope is to at least be a cog in the wheel of the vast machine that works towards that goal. With my professional experience, coupled with a background in International Studies and Law, I hope to pursue a future in policy-oriented work, specifically research and advocacy in the development sector.

Amruta Ghare

The LAMP Fellowship is a nurturing place for budding political analysts as it allows Fellows to interact closely with a Member of Parliament and gives them first hand exposure to study policy and legislation.
The fellowship gives me the opportunity to practice my academic knowledge as well as develop analytical skills to better comprehend the rationale and dynamics of policy making, aided by the training provided by PRS. The diversity that this program entails viz. research on wide-ranging topics, say education, health, transport, agriculture, etc provides an excellent foundation for learning.
I hope to work in the field of economics and policy making in the future, and this stint helps me in being more competent for the same.

Ragamalika Karthikeyan

Age : 25

Educational(Graduation) : BA in Journalism and Communication Studies

As a journalist, I have skimmed through several drafts, bills and acts to translate ‘legalese’ and ‘technical’ to ‘lay man’. But it wasn’t till the Justice Verma Panel recommendations were in my hands that I was hooked to understanding policy from the other side – indeed from many ‘other sides’. LAMP for me, is a step in that direction. Helping my MP with her Parliamentary work, including standing committee meetings, has made me explore a wide range of subjects, and has made me think about the issues we face as a country from a different perspective.

Shashank Shah

Age : 24

Educational(Graduation) : B.A. (Hons.) in Political Science, Jadavpur University

Education(Post-Graduation) : M.A. Development Studies, Tata Institute of Social Sciences

A heady diet of current affairs magazines, newspapers and news television fueled my passion for politics in my high school days. My passionate interest in the noblest profession (courtesy Aristotle) befitting a philosopher king (courtesy Plato) shaped my higher education choices and other vocations such as debating and student politics that I participated in with exuberant vigour. I envisioned LAMP Fellowship as a stepping stone in the world of statesmanship, a la Grand Tour of the political system. The Fellowship has provided me the opportunity to understand and engage with the byzantine maze that characterizes the world of politics and statecraft.

Gaurav Kumar

Age : 26

Educational(Graduation) : B.A. (Sociology), BHU, Varanasi

Education(Post-Graduation) : Masters(Sociology), IGNOU, New Delhi

As a student of Sociology I have developed deep insight into the functional structure of the society and its role in the development of a democratic country like ours. When I learnt about LAMP fellowship and its objective I believed it was an apt programme to work with the parliamentarians and learn the policy making process in order to develop the approach and insight to deal with obstacles and lacunas in policy making process, objective of the policies and its implementation.
During the course of the fellowship, I get to closely learn about parliament’s functioning and various related aspects . The fellowship has given me the insight and the right approach to think and find the solutions to address key issues. In the nutshell, the fellowship has equipped and nurtured me to serve my aspiration to become a civil servantin the future.

Sharang Shah

During my stint with a financial news broadcasting agency, I came to realise the importance of government policies on not only those who are actively involved in work that is closely linked to the government but also on the lives of ordinary people who may never realise just how prudent a role those policies play in their lives. I came to realize that to truly make an impact; I need to understand the process behind the drafting of these policies. I feel that LAMP Fellowship provides a perfect platform that wholly encompasses every aspect of policy making. Through the LAMP Fellowship, I hoped to understand the mind-set adopted behind policy decision and the processes created to make sure that a government functions smoothly regardless of the transition of power.

Aparna Gupta

Since the age of nestling dreams and ambitions, I have aspired to find a higher calling in the domain of public policy. For someone who foresees a career in policy implementation, LAMP fellowship was the natural next step .
As a LAMP fellow I am constantly learning to develop a balanced understanding of the various ills that are hindering the development of our society and their plausible solutions. I research on a wide variety of topics and issues concerning our country which helps me to gain knowledge. The fellowship has provided me an opportunity to not only interact with the leaders at the forefront, but also make my little contribution in the domain of policy making.
Ultimately, I wish to pursue higher studies in public policy and thus this fellowship and the precious lessons that I learn from it perfectly align with my future career goals.

Diksha Choudhary

Age : 24

Educational(Graduation) : Bachelors of Business Studies, Shaheed Sukhdev College of Business Studies, University of Delhi

After working in a corporate for more than 2 years, I slowly started realising that as a youth of the nation instead of being apathetic and cynical, I should understand how the political system functions in India and how I can contribute towards it. However, it was not easy for me to find an exposure in this field. Therefore, when I got selected to be the LAMP fellow, it was nothing short of a once in a lifetime opportunity for me.
Naturally, it was not an easy switch to make from corporate to policy research. So when the LAMP Fellowship opportunity came by, I grabbed it.
Much like Members of Parliament, the LAMP fellowship also has the distinction of having people from all backgrounds whether economics, law or science and I happen to be one among them today. While working for the Member of Parliament, I hope to develop my skills as a researcher to bring forth the issues and concerns in various sectors. At the same time, I wish to learn from the vast experience of the Member of Parliament on how constituency matters are managed as well as how concerns of national importance are raised to the notice of the Central government. Further, I hope that the myriad experiences and backgrounds of other LAMP fellows will also provide for a diverse and rich learning experience.
To understand the political system while being a part of it brings forth humility, a new perspective towards our Parliament and a renewed respect towards MPs. It is my hope that the diverse knowledge gained during this Fellowship will help me in all my future endeavours.

Zainab Hameed

Everyone talks about changing things in our country but change comes only through participation. When I heard about the LAMP Fellowship I knew this is what I want to do as it gives us youth an opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of how our political system works, how our Members of Parliament function and how change has been brought about in the country. It has not helped me understand the functioning of our systems better but also is a test of our personality. The fellowship is what you make of it and a test of how hard you can work to push boundaries and make the most of this unique chance given to you.
Coming from an economics background with a passion for developmental studies, my work has given me a chance of understanding and working on issues close to my heart not just in theory but in has helped me comprehend ground realities. I do not know what career path I will follow in the future but whatever it may be, I know the fellowship has given me a solid foundation that will help me in all walks of life.

Mohana T Rajan

Age : 25

Educational(Graduation) : B.Tech Mechanical (NITK Surathkal)

Education(Post-Graduation) : MBA (IIM Bangalore)

In my opinion, I feel inherently, everyone has an opinion on how things 'ought' to be done. It is so easy to point fingers and I think it's time to take some action in addition to mere words. So I took the plunge and quit my plush, corporate job and get an idea what exactly an MP does and how working in the public sector would feel like - a 180 degree shift from a structured corporate set up.
This fellowship was perfect for someone like me who after a year of corporate life realised my interests lie in a different field all together - one that would enable me to give back to my country through some development work. I have always aspired to get into this field but my education wasn't the stereotype for this sector.
This year for me is a great way to change tracks and move smoothly into the public service sector . In the future I see myself continuing in this sector and even if I do plan on changing tracks in the future, I know for a fact that the value gained during the course of this fellowship will be nothing, if not an asset.
This fellowship is undertaken by different people for different reasons but beyond doubt, it's one that makes you stand out in the crowd.

Rhythm Behl

Age : 21

Educational(Graduation) : B.A (hons) Economics

"Be life long or short, its completeness depends on what it is lived for." These famous words of David Starr Jordan have always motivated me to truly work for the betterment of the society, I aspire to be a distinguished economist one day. The LAMP fellowship has not only give me a broader outlook of decision making but also the complexities involved in designing and implementing government schemes. I do the research that happens behind the scenes in any legislative decision. I have realised, it is very easy to criticize politicians and bureaucrats over a cup of tea but it is extremely difficult to be out there, face the daily hassles and run the country with the best of your abilities. Being young and energetic, I am neither cynical nor do I shy away from responsibilities. I could afford to prioritize cognition and experience over heavy pay cheques and this is why I believe that LAMP was the logical step in my life. I believe the LAMP fellowship has provided me with the impetus to work for the infrastructural and fundamental privileges of the disadvantaged by not only honing my analytical skills and logical thinking but also endowing me with virtues such as perseverance and astuteness.

Sonali Malik

Soon after my graduation, like most economics graduates, I chose the suave corporate world, only to discover that my interest lay somewhere else.The LAMP fellowship, offered me the perfect platform to make that switch from a hard core routine research job at a consulting firm and provided me with an excellent opportunity to get acquainted with the nuances of the legislative business in India. Everyday in this fellowship comes with its new challenges, new learnings and makes me feel closer to achieving my dream of becoming a bold and new age policy-maker. This fellowship has helped me better understand the issues which are daunting our economy, from the best minds in this business.I am glad that I have been chosen to be part of such a fantastic opportunity.

Sneha Deepthi

Age : 22

Educational(Graduation) : B.Sc (Honours) Chemistry

Democracy is hailed world-over as one of the best forms of governance and its essence is embedded in the functioning of the Parliament. The democratic governance of a country as diverse as India, has always fascinated me and the idea of assisting an elected representative of the people in performing his/her Parliamentary duties, was greatly appealing. Prior to the fellowship, I worked with a humanitarian organization which seeks to fight poverty and exclusion by empowering women from marginalized communities. My interaction with the beneficiary communities on the field and various other stakeholders involved, provided me with exposure to issues of socio-economic development in India. The LAMP fellowship would help me gain further insights into these issues, by exploring the policy frameworks that govern them. The fact that my contribution as a LAMP, would help in framing policies which impact the lives of so many people, is extremely motivating. The LAMP fellowship is also an ideal platform to observe at close quarters and understand the dynamics of the Indian political system.

Tarun Sharma

Age : 20

Educational(Graduation) : Bachelor of Management Studies

The best part is how this fellowship drives you to do more and more. There is huge scope for learning and improving as a LAMP. Every day presents a new challenge. I consider myself lucky as being asked for inputs on a policy issue at this young age is a great feeling.
Every policy issue has to be understood from the beginning and all possible implications are considered when preparing a brief for the MP. While briefing an MP, one needs a complete understanding of the issue and be able to judge the importance. Preparing issue briefs, bill analysis and parliamentary questions and discussions are a part of everyday life here.
Interest in politics and policy is the reason I joined but it surely takes a lot more. LAMP is a platform to see and understand how our parliamentarians and our system function. The training, interactions with experts on several policy issues and discussions and debates with other fellows on all possible issues has been very exciting and encouraging.
This fellowship has given me an opportunity to learn the policy and decision making process in its entirety and has shown me an excellent career path to follow.

Yashaswini KS

The overarching discussions, the wit and repartees of the leaders drew my attention to Parliamentary debates since school. With a background in Economics, the role of legislators in developing good policies only became more apparent. With a brief experience in the rural development sector, LAMP fellowship seemed the right opportunity to get an insight into the policy making process in the country. It complements the grassroots experience on policy implementation that I gained over my previous experience. Being a LAMP Fellow will come a long way in pursuing a career in public policy and my passion for active politics.

Vinod Kumar

Education(Post-Graduation) : Masters in Social Work, University of Delhi

At the verge of completion of my Masters in Social Work, I was in dilemma to opt for the campus placement and work in the development sector or join the LAMP fellowship. After consultation with my seniors, I joined the fellowship and it has greatly enriched my knowledge of Indian democracy and parliamentary procedures. The fellowship provides me an opportunity to come out of the ‘comfort zone’ ideology and a typical working enviroment.It gives me immense confidenceas my research on various topics and my inputs are take into account in different platforms of the parliamentarian democracy. The best part of the fellowship is that for all the upcoming challenges during the fellowship, you are provided relevant training in advance. I believe that, with this fellowship, one will be able to develop a new perspective about the politics and policy issues of our country.

Paavani Sachdeva

Throughout academic reading, it has struck me quite frequently and frustratingly, the gaping differences between the policy formulated by the academicians, the policy adopted by the government, and the policy that is actually implemented. And nowhere more is this disconnect felt than in the field of environmental issues, more often than not, relegated a secondary position in relation to developmental concerns. To a fresh graduate, the LAMP Fellowship provides an overview of the miasma that is Indian Politics, and a chance to not only observe, but also to raise question about the policies that shape the present, and color the future.

Anuvinda P.

Policy making has always fascinated because of the immense potential it holds to affect the lives of masses. Academicians and activists play their part in shaping the public policy discourse by analysing the problem at hand and providing recommendations. But it is the legislature who plays the most important part of giving final shape to the policy. Obtaining an exposure to both, I felt would help me in the medium run, to understand the whole rather than tinker with the parts. In the meantime the fellowship allows me to contribute in my own small way to shape the policies for our people. Each assignment leaves you with a sense of achievement and pride, especially when it has been used by the MP to trigger a discussion or introduce a consequential perspective in the parliament.

Kumar Vikrant

Age : 25

Educational(Graduation) : Bachelor of Design (Fashion Design)

John F. Kennedy said, “Ask not what your country can do for you — ask what you can do for your country.” LAMP Fellowship offers a great opportunity to Indian youth in their early twenties to come together and work for the supreme legislative body of the country i.e. Indian Parliament. After exploring fashion, theatre and documentaries joining LAMP fellowship is an interesting journey for me. I have always remained an ardent follower of politics & parliamentary debates. I have great faith in politics & democracy of this country. Through fellowship I want to understand the functioning of one of the most complex & largest democracies of the world.

Soma Naik Porika

Age : 21

Educational(Graduation) : B.A. (Hons.) Social Work with specialization in Rural Development, Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai

I consider participating in LAMP fellowship a decisive moment in my life, as I this is the only opportunity, which provides me with the capability of interacting with a Member of Parliament, on a day to day basis, discussing his legislative agenda accommoding several policy positions stakeholder interests. I have discontinued my Masters in Development Studies course at TISS to avail this fellowship; a difficult trade-off which as I expected, has turned out to be completely worth it.

Rishabh Raj

After completing my engineering in 2012, I had been working as a Business Analyst at a management consulting firm. Public Policy is a space that really excites me and I wanted to spend some time working in this domain. LAMP fellowship provides a unique opportunity to work directly with an elected representative and gain insight into legislative and policy making process of our country. I believe that cynicism surrounding governance and politics in our country can be addressed only if we understand the system and engage with it. I see this fellowship as my first step towards that.
This is a huge learning experience for me primarily due to two reasons. First, my engagement with an elected representative, the policy makers and experts from diverse sectors helps me to understand the nuances of public policy making in the Indian context. Second, my research work covering a broad range of topics helps me discover my areas of interest where I can strive to build an expertise. LAMP is a great starting point for my endeavor in the field of public policy making.

Tripta Ahuja

Age : 20

Educational(Graduation) : Bachelor of Business Studies (Finance), Shaheed Sukhdev College of Business Studies

The Lamp fellowship offered just the right platform to understand the system, engage with it and at the same time, also gain perspective into a wide range of policy issues. In addition to this, the lack of formal structure and opportunity to explore, that come with fellowships only enhanced my learning manyfold.

Jai Venaik

Most of us grow up largely seeing politics through a cynical viewpoint ,but we conviniently ignore that the answer to cynisism is not apathy. The answer is to jump in the pool and see how you can make a difference. LAMP is a platform which gives you an insight in the Parliament via a member of parliament. With a Bachelors in Media Studies from Symbiosis Institute of Media and Communication (UG) that gave me an insight in the theoretical side of political science, international relations and journalism, LAMP was the next step to get a hands on experience as to how the country functions. My main takeaways from the fellowship will be to understand the process of making a change through policy and pursue it as a career option in due course of time.

Tinaz Mistry

Age : 24

Educational(Graduation) : BBA- Finance

For many people my interest in politics and policy was quite surprising given my educational background. However, I have always been very passionate, even patriotic, about politics in India. I co-founded an organisation along with a friend that is aimed at breaking down politics in Maharashtra. We also organised voter registration campaigns in Mumbai for the 2014 General elections. I learnt about the fellowship programme from a friend and believed it was the best suited place for me.It has been an incredible experience to work with my MP as I continue to learn from his guidance. After finishing my one year stint as a LAMP I plan on pursuing an Ms in Public Policy.

Kabir Choudary

owe my interest in the civil liberties and policy to several factors, particularly the opportunity to grow up in New Delhi. The paradoxes presented by the city, where the economic and information technology giants of India share a common wall with millions of people below the poverty line, beautiful Lutyens architecture sits next to numerous slums, citizen rights’ activists rub shoulders with the biggest violators of the rule of law, made me question the policy implementation structure in India at an early age. During law school, I had several opportunities to critique the drafting of legislations through discussions, research papers, mock parliamentary debates etc., yet I found these efforts distant from effectuating any change in the legislative framework. Thus, LAMP fellowship provided a unique opportunity to use my understanding of law beyond the closed doors of classrooms and assist a Member of Parliament in participating in performing his parliamentary duties with extensive legal and empirical research. Working closely with an MP has given me the first hand experience of challenges presented before our legislators for effective policy implementation and constructive lawmaking. As an aspiring civil liberties lawyer, LAMP has helped me learn the nuts and bolts of the Indian political structure and bestowed me with a capability to think from different perspectives before coming up with one, which I believe is crucial for anyone willing to work in the field of public policy.

Anmol Dutt mehta

Age : 24

Educational(Graduation) : Bachelor in Laws (LL.B), CLC, Faculty of Law, University of Delhi

LAMP Fellowship provides me with a unique opportunity to use my skills and further enrich them by assisting a Member of Parliament in fulfilling his parliamentary duties. The Fellowship is designed to provide one of a kind chance to analyse and appreciate policy issues at the Centre. There has recently been a change in Central Government by the largest democratic exercise in the world. The government has come up with great promises and this creates an exciting time to work in the sphere of policy analysis and policy making and to suggest innovative solutions for myriad problems surrounding the nation. In this environment, I intend to equip myself with all the necessary tools to be part of the great exercise of nation building, and to take the learnings from this experience forward, and utilize them as a lawyer and a member of public life.

Jasmine Luthra

An overwhelming clout of cynicism surrounds our country’s political and public institutions. I see the fellowship as an opportunity to escape the derisiveness towards politics and governance; and understand the dynamics of policy making in the country. Being a LAMP allows one to comprehend the intricate political and legislative processes of our democracy by engaging closely with a Parliamentarian. It provides an intensive disciplinary approach to public policy within the realm of a relevant political context.
With an economics-liberal arts academic background and having worked in the development sector, I believe this exposure augments my commitment to social change. The fellowship helps me put my theoretical understanding of governance and multi-perspective approach to problem solving to real-time test. The experience will certainly provide for a strong underpinning in my future engagements with the system.

Aprajita Shaleen Sharma

Experience for me is the greatest source of knowledge, and this fellowship epitomizes just that. Plunging into the realm of drafting policies and engaging on parliamentary matters has been a revelation towards understanding the various dimensions that underpin governance and public policy, in particular, when designed to resolve problems and address solutions impacting people and resources. Being attached to a parliamentarian helps to give direction and insight into the “well’ of parliamentary deliberations which help me to form perceptions on addressing issues of significant public relevance. A year’s stint at being a Legislative Assistant will also give me the confidence to embark on a public-interacting profession and follow through on my aspiration to understand, engage and address the constrains in which several millions of our people make their ends meet! The legislative experience would also help me in my pursuit to earn a Masters in Economic and Public Policy and then - a career in the Indian civil services.

Vaman Desai

Age : 25

Educational(Graduation) : BE, PGPM (Finance)

Being an avid follower of polity, I was always interested to work in the field of policy making. LAMP fellowship was thus a distinctive opportunity as it gave me access to actively participate in Parliamentary interventions and policy making at the national level.
When one follows the legislative and policy making domain through media, more often than not he is likely to be disenchanted with the direction and sluggishness of developments. However, working with a Member of Parliament enhances the understanding of systemic issues and policy nuances. In my case, it has also led me to choose a select few sectors in policy making and work towards bringing some tangible solutions to the problems they are ridden with.

Sonakshi Kapoor

Age : 24

Educational(Graduation) : B.B.A. LL.B., Symbiosis Law School, Pune

I studied law with a simple agenda of understanding the nuances of various legislation and policies of our country. I sought a way of thinking that would familiarize me with our legal and political structure beyond its prima facie comprehension. As a LAMP fellow, I have continued this learning process. The fellowship engages me in constant researching, debating and an analysis and assessment process. I have dedicated my time and potential to the cause of a Member of Parliament by contributing towards his policy and legislative debates. I see this fellowship as an opportunity to become well informed and serve my country in a manner that is befitting its legacy. After the Fellowship, I wish to pursue a Masters in Public Administration and eventually participate as a forerunner in the implementation of policies, projects, and programs that resolve important societal problems.

Aakarsh Narula

Age : 24

Educational(Graduation) : LL.B., Campus Law Centre, Faculty of Law, University of Delhi

After graduating in the field of commerce from University of Delhi, I completed my law school from Campus Law Centre, Faculty of Law, University of Delhi. Through my Legal education, I developed a strong interest in the field of public policy, public affairs and the politics.Moreover, the fine link between Constitutional Law and politics, and the enormous scope of constitutional law in enforcing the rights of the citizens, and therefore, indirectly streamlining the politics of the country has intrigued me the most.
LAMP Fellowship provides an extremely innovative opportunity to connect the political ideology of the Member of Parliament you are assigned to, with rational policy arguments, in-depth research, statistics and legal precedents. LAMP is different from any other research profile in the policy sphere that a fresher could get involved in, because the domain of possibilities and opportunities that one can get exposed to, while working with a Member of Parliament is indefinite.
Moreover, watching your research culminate into a discussion on the floor of the Parliament, or on the news channels gives you an adrenaline that no other opportunity can.

Vaibhav Gupta

Age : 22

Educational(Graduation) : B.Tech (Delhi College of Engineering)

It was my second year in college, when I got an opportunity to explore the ‘Bottom of the Pyramid’ segment of the society, very closely. I was shocked with the amount of disconnect and lack of awareness that exists in that segment, inspite of the numerous policy initiatives/schemes that the government has for them. Consequently, I decided to spend some time living in a small town, to try and understand this gap between initiatives and implementations. And then LAMP happened.
I believe that working with an MP, observing his style of work, his engagements, his responsibilities, his role as a legislator and his duties as a representative of his constituency, will equip me with the relevant understanding of what I desire.
With a vision to contribute towards the rural development of India ,I believe the exposure to the government's functioning from the legislative and policy making perspective that the LAMP fellowship offers is the optimum experience at this stage for me!

Urvi Gadhia

After attaining my law degree, I spent a year in the corporate world. But I wasn’t entirely happy with what it had to offer and knew I had to establish my niche elsewhere. My experience of working on MNREGA at the grassroot level, voluntary activities during college, etc. triggered my aspiration to be part of a larger machinery for social advancement. Fortunately, the LAMP Fellowship was in store for me. The fellowship provides a platform and the opportunity to contribute to shaping the future of the country by working on its economic policies and legislative needs. Helping frame prospective legislation of the country at such a young age and the vast exposure the fellowship has to offer is truly overwhelming and exhilarating. From study halls to our living rooms, there is a general stereotypical perception and stigma against politics and politicians. The fellowship has helped change that and enabled me to look beyond these to recognize the efforts of Parliamentarians in the functioning of the democracy. I am certain that my experience as a LAMP fellow will be an immense asset in any career path I choose to pursue after the fellowship.

Arun Iyer

Age : 23

Educational(Graduation) : MA in International and Diplomatic Studies, University of Prague, Czech Republic

When I completed my post- graduation, I was confused as to whether I should pursue my doctorate programme in the same subject or go in for hands-on experience. After getting to know about the fellowship programme I abandoned the idea of higher studies and instead found an exciting opening in the LAMP fellowship programme.
Now, into the thick of the programme I find, working with my MP a wonderful experience. I am getting to work on a variety of subjects, most of which are new to me. With the initial month of training, it was only a matter of days that I got used to the gist of the matters and from thereon, there was never a day which was boring or routine. The unique thing about this fellowship is that it always keeps you on your toes and never have I enjoyed myself so much working!
In conclusion, the fellowship gives you a once in a lifetime experience to work from the corridors of power and being mentored by a person of high repute, which is, I would say a dream for any person who has a keen interest in the field of public policy.

Chetna Kumar

Age : 23

Educational(Graduation) : B.A.,LL.B. (Hons.)

After graduating from the National Law School of India University, Bangalore my interest in interdisciplinary studies in law, economics and public policy grew. Through this fellowship, I hope to further my understanding of law and politics and acquire skills towards developing, advocating for, and implementing public policy.

Saransh Mahajan

Age : 23

Educational(Graduation) : Bachelor of Engineering (Netaji Subhas Institute of Technology, University of Delhi)

I’ve always found interest in policy decisions and their relationship with business and dynamics. The prospect of working closely with a Parliamentarian and understanding the philosophy of policy makers caught my attention and made me join the fellowship.
What I hope is to have a unique, engaging and challenging experience. I am sure that this experience will not only help to broaden my horizon, but will also allow me to touch those areas of life which lie miles away from mainstream lifestyles.

Swadha Singh

Having studied theories of Political Science within four walls of classroom, it seemed only invariable to take them out of class and put them to test in the real world. That’s where LAMP fellowship fits into the picture. Not only is it a platform to understand nuances of politics from close quarters, but also enhances understanding of policy-making at higher echelons. The fellowship breaks the scepticism against politics and politicians by way of extending an opportunity to engage with legislators of the largest democracy in the world. Working on policy matters complements my personal interest in the field as well as my academic trajectory.

Aastha Pitalia

Age : 23

Educational(Graduation) : B.Tech, IIT Delhi

After completing my engineering degree, I worked for a global management consulting firm for two year both as an analyst and as an associate consultant. But in parallely I had been looking out for an opportunity that would enable me to work on varied social and political issues. LAMP fellowship is one such opportunity which serves dual purposes. On one hand it provides exceptional platform to the youth to actively participate in parliamentary procedures by providing opportunity to assist a Member of Parliament. On the other hand it helps legislators to devise policies with thorough research, which many may not always have ready access to. I am sure this fellowship will help me in any career path which I choose to pursue after the completion of this fellowship.

Anish Abraham Cherian

LAMP fellowship is an rare opportunity which cuts across multiple disciplines to aid you in understanding and experiencing in first hand the legislative process in India. The program helped me in strengthening my decision making skills and I expect it to help me in my future endeavours as a public policy analyst. The diverse nature of subjects that I have dwelt upon during this period has increased my horizons as a researcher.
Working with a member of parliament hones your skills in decision making and analysing policies as you regularly provide them with updates from the policy and government space.

Noor Ameena

It was my quest for working in the field of public policy that landed me in LAMP Fellowship. The LAMP Fellowship provides a unique opportunity to work with a Member of Parliament. The Fellowship offers a lot of learning, owing to the diversity of research that we might have to put in to cater to the needs of our MP. The pleasure and satisfaction that we enjoy when our work is put to use in the political arena is immense. Equally delightful is the prospect of meeting new people .Being a law graduate, it is exciting for me to watch the process of law making closely, and to take part in our limited way by providing research support to the MP. The training sessions and workshops organised by PRS are very helpful to enhance our knowledge base and to horn our research skills. I believe that new opportunities would await us once the Fellowship is completed.

Siddhant Marur

I feel the disconnect between government policies and their implementation has only increased over the years. I believe the fellowship will allow me to work closely with experienced legislators and policy makers, through which I can hope to gain an understanding of the results of policy.The dynamics of the three government agencies, i.e. the judiciary, the executive and the legislature are highly complicated and the lines separating one from the other are becoming increasingly blurred. As a LAMP fellow, I believe I can leverage this opportunity to observe, assimilate, analyze, and eventually at least,help to reform our policies to achieve the objective of inclusive, sustainable economic and social growth. As an aspiring Public Servant, the fellowship is an invaluable chance to receive a greater insight into the working of the legislature and it’s intricate relationship with the bureaucracy.

Gunjan Chawla

My interest in public policy arose from an early exposure to Model United Nations conferences during my school years. Model UN helped me develop a keen interest and take active part in understanding and contributing meaningfully towards positive social change. After having experienced criminal litigation in Delhi’s trial courts and the realities of the law ,I realized that the root cause of the crisis of our justice administration system at least partly, lies beyond judicial institutions. I believe that sustainable social change can come only through good governance and responsible legislation; and in this pursuit, one cannot afford to ignore the politics of law making. After having dabbled across the private and non-profit sectors through various internships in law school, the LAMP Fellowship presented to me, an incredible opportunity to experience the government sector and legislative processes. The Fellowship offers an opportunity to build towards a career in public law and hone my skills as a lawyer, giving me a truly holistic understanding of the law and legal institutions as I learn how lacunae can be avoided in the lawmaking process.

Parth Sharma

LAMP throws extraordinary flashes of insight into working of parliamentary and legislative process. It is also helping me attempt to learn the insight and experiences of Member of Parliament. Being a lawyer, I have always been fascinated by India’s political process and the LAMP fellowship gives an opportunity to students to participate indirectly in parliamentary affairs. The powerful lessons given carefully takes us to the next level of excellence which helped me retain and furnish relevant feedback. I can say LAMP inspired me to dream the forbidden and achieve the impossible.

Sagar Deoskar

Age : 22

Educational(Graduation) : Bachelor in Media Studies

My interests in Politics, Policy and Current affairs has shaped my academic and professional pursuits. I did my graduation in Media Studies specializing in Journalism and aspired to work as a political and developmental Journalist. Freshly out of the college, LAMP fellowship presented itself as tailor made opportunity for someone interested in Policy and Politics .This fellowship for me is a stepping stone that will enable me to enter the system and contribute to it in my own way.

Divyashish Sharma

Age : 25

Educational(Graduation) : B.Pharm (Hons.), BITS Pilani, Rajasthan

I have always been fascinated by India’s political process and cherished a dream to contribute towards it. My first brush with the legislative process and decision making was when I was selected as a part of a small group of students to witness the proceedings of Parliament.
Working as a LAMP enables me to get a bird’s eye view of the complexity of the political system and acquaint me with the process of legislation. The opportunity to interact with leaders and policymakers, and the prospect of being mentored by one, is a useful learning experience. It provides me an insight into how an MP works and helps me to understand the implementation barriers (s)he faces and potential solutions to overcome them. It will help me understand decision-making at the highest level – especially factors which are considered while deliberating and framing development policies.
Furthermore, the challenge to work on diverse social and economic issues in a variety of sectors such as education, healthcare, infrastructure etc. and the chance to contribute to the political discourse, which could impact a billion lives, inspires me.